Ted Smout Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is a new bridge in Brisbane, Australia. It is located 30 metres to the east, and forming the duplication of, the Houghton Highway
. It crosses Bramble Bay
, linking the Redcliffe suburb of Clontarf
with the Brisbane suburb of Brighton
. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge and it's twin, the Houghton Highway
, are Australia's longest bridges, with the former opened by Premier Anna Bligh
on 11 July 2010.
The new bridge consists of 78 spans, each 35 m long. The cost for new bridge project is expected to be AU
$315 million. It was built 4 m higher than the existing bridge.
It is the first bridge in Australia designed to withstand Hurricane Katrina
-type storm events. It is also possibly the only Australian bridge which may have to deal with shallow water storm surge.
The new bridge features
. He died in 2004.
The bridge was officially named the 'Ted Smout Memorial Bridge' by the Queensland Minister for Main Roads, the Honourable Craig Wallace
MP, on 14 July 2009. The naming took place as part of the celebration to mark an important milestone and part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations. The milestone was the construction of the middle (39th) span of the new bridge.
The Houghton Hwy duplication plans involved a new bridge built 30 metres to the east. The new bridge, named the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge
, was to consists of 78 spans, each 35 metres long. There were three major construction areas: Brighton foreshore, fishing platform and Clontarf point.
The eventual duplication differed sharply from the original plan, which was for a similar structure to the existing. The existing bridge was converted for three lanes of northbound traffic, with the new bridge carrying southbound traffic. The original plan called for the new bridge to be constructed between the existing bridges, but was amended to have the new bridge constructed on the Moreton Bay (eastern) side of the existing Houghton Highway.
Increases in the cost of construction materials and labour, changes to the scope of the project following technical investigations and community consultation, extra costs associated with the removal of the Hornibrook bridge, as well as design improvements spurred by the events of Hurricane Katrina
in the United States, means the total cost increased to $315 million, compared with the $149 million estimated in 2004. The preliminary design went on display in June 2007.
A falsework
platform was used and continually relocated as construction of the bridge segments progressed. Foundation piles were driven up to 39 metres into the sea bed, which were then reinforced with concrete and capped with concrete headstock and girders. The bridge was then fitted with concrete barriers, guard rails and electrical conduit. The southern and northern abutment
of the bridge included land reclamation works involving a seawall and embankment.
Construction began in April 2008 and the entire duplication works were completed on 19 August 2011.
Houghton Highway
The Houghton Highway is a reinforced concrete viaduct, shortening the road distance between the cities of Redcliffe and Brisbane in Queensland, Australia...
. It crosses Bramble Bay
Bramble Bay
Bramble Bay is an embayment of Moreton Bay in South East Queensland, Australia. The Brisway map reference is 12 H5, or see page 91 G19 in Refidex.The Houghton Highway and the Hornibrook Bridge span Bramble Bay, connecting Redcliffe with Brisbane...
, linking the Redcliffe suburb of Clontarf
Clontarf, Queensland
Clontarf is a residential and light industrial suburb of the Moreton Bay Region in the south-west of the Redcliffe peninsula, approximately north-northeast of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.-Attractions and features:...
with the Brisbane suburb of Brighton
Brighton, Queensland
Brighton is the northernmost suburb of Brisbane City, Australia, located 19 km north of the Brisbane CBD. The Nashville locality makes up much of the southwest of the suburb.Brighton features mostly suburban housing...
. The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge and it's twin, the Houghton Highway
Houghton Highway
The Houghton Highway is a reinforced concrete viaduct, shortening the road distance between the cities of Redcliffe and Brisbane in Queensland, Australia...
, are Australia's longest bridges, with the former opened by Premier Anna Bligh
Anna Bligh
Anna Maria Bligh is an Australian politician and the Premier of Queensland since 2007. The 2009 Queensland state election was the first time a female-led political party won or retained state or federal government in Australia...
on 11 July 2010.
The new bridge consists of 78 spans, each 35 m long. The cost for new bridge project is expected to be AU
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
$315 million. It was built 4 m higher than the existing bridge.
It is the first bridge in Australia designed to withstand Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
-type storm events. It is also possibly the only Australian bridge which may have to deal with shallow water storm surge.
The new bridge features
- 3 traffic lanes: 2 for regular traffic and a T2 (bus, taxi and vehicles with more than 2 occupants) lane
- A 4.5 m (14.8 ft) wide pedestrian and cycle path that connects footpath and cycle networks on either side of Bramble Bay. The path is separated from traffic by a concrete barrier.
- A fishing platform near the Pine River channel. The platform measures 10 m by 50 m.
Naming
The bridge is named after Ted Smout. Mr Smout was Queensland’s last surviving World War One veteran and a former resident of SandgateSandgate, Queensland
Sandgate is a coastal suburb in Brisbane, Australia, located 16 km north of the Brisbane CBD. The town became a popular escape for the people of Brisbane in the early 20th century.-Geography:Sandgate is situated on the coastline, along Bramble Bay...
. He died in 2004.
The bridge was officially named the 'Ted Smout Memorial Bridge' by the Queensland Minister for Main Roads, the Honourable Craig Wallace
Craig Wallace
Craig Andrew Wallace is an Australian politician. He is the member for Thuringowa in the Queensland State Parliament, to which he was elected to on 7 February 2004....
MP, on 14 July 2009. The naming took place as part of the celebration to mark an important milestone and part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations. The milestone was the construction of the middle (39th) span of the new bridge.
Construction
As at the opening day on the 11 July 2010 all major construction activity is completeThe Houghton Hwy duplication plans involved a new bridge built 30 metres to the east. The new bridge, named the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge
Ted Smout Memorial Bridge
The Ted Smout Memorial Bridge is a new bridge in Brisbane, Australia. It is located 30 metres to the east, and forming the duplication of, the Houghton Highway. It crosses Bramble Bay, linking the Redcliffe suburb of Clontarf with the Brisbane suburb of Brighton...
, was to consists of 78 spans, each 35 metres long. There were three major construction areas: Brighton foreshore, fishing platform and Clontarf point.
The eventual duplication differed sharply from the original plan, which was for a similar structure to the existing. The existing bridge was converted for three lanes of northbound traffic, with the new bridge carrying southbound traffic. The original plan called for the new bridge to be constructed between the existing bridges, but was amended to have the new bridge constructed on the Moreton Bay (eastern) side of the existing Houghton Highway.
Increases in the cost of construction materials and labour, changes to the scope of the project following technical investigations and community consultation, extra costs associated with the removal of the Hornibrook bridge, as well as design improvements spurred by the events of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in the United States, means the total cost increased to $315 million, compared with the $149 million estimated in 2004. The preliminary design went on display in June 2007.
A falsework
Falsework
Falsework consists of temporary structures used in construction to support spanning or arched structures in order to hold the component in place until its construction is sufficiently advanced to support itself...
platform was used and continually relocated as construction of the bridge segments progressed. Foundation piles were driven up to 39 metres into the sea bed, which were then reinforced with concrete and capped with concrete headstock and girders. The bridge was then fitted with concrete barriers, guard rails and electrical conduit. The southern and northern abutment
Abutment
An abutment is, generally, the point where two structures or objects meet. This word comes from the verb abut, which means adjoin or having common boundary. An abutment is an engineering term that describes a structure located at the ends of a bridge, where the bridge slab adjoins the approaching...
of the bridge included land reclamation works involving a seawall and embankment.
Construction began in April 2008 and the entire duplication works were completed on 19 August 2011.
Milestones
- Late 2005 - Initial community consultation
- 2006 - Options investigation and development of project concepts
- Mid 2007 - Community consultation on project plans
- Late 2007 - Finalisation of project plans and construction tender period
- Early 2009 - Construction works commence at Brighton
- Mid 2008 - Construction works commence at Clontarf Point
- Mid 2008 - Bridge construction works commence
- August 2008 - Bridge reaches middle or 39th span
- December 2009 - Last of the bridge piles and headstocks completed
- 14 January 2010 - Final 82 tonne bridge girder was erected
- 19 January 2010 - Last concrete deck slab was poured
- 11 July 2010 - Official opening, bridge opening celebrations and community day
- 14 July 2010 - Opening of the new bridge to pedestrians and cyclists
- 15 July 2010 - Opening of the new bridge to southbound (Brisbane-bound) traffic
- August 2010 - Commence resurfacing and upgrading of the existing Houghton Highway bridge
- August 2010 - Commence demolition and partial rebuilding of the old Hornibrook BridgeHornibrook BridgeHornibrook Bridge was one of three bridges that crossed Bramble Bay, Queensland, Australia. The second is the Houghton Highway, which was built to accommodate rising traffic levels on the two-lane Hornibrook Bridge in the 1970s to increase capacity and cope with future demand...
- August 2011 - All project works completed